Single-hand operable microdermabrasion device

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a one hand operable treatment tool and tissue collection system, for removal of outer layers of skin to provide a revitalized, fresh skin surface, comprising an oscillating abrasive tipped tool mounted within a protective housing, said protective housing being connected to a source of vacuum. The vacuum aids in maintaining intimate contact between the abrasive tip and the skin during the treatment process and transports the abraded tissue to a removable filter.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to the removal of surface potions of tissue, commonly termed microdermabrasion, microdermal abrasion, or dermabrasion. This invention provides a single-hand operable treatment tool and tissue collection system for removal of outer layers of skin to provide a revitalized, fresh skin surface. The objective is to remove dead and old skin cells without damaging the remaining skin surface and without the use of powdered abrasive materials because these materials may result in undesirable side effects.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0004] As U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,739 explains:

[0005] Dermabrasion, also referred to as microdermabrasion, is a process for remov[ing] dead cells from the outermost layer of the skin, referred to as the epidermis, clean[ing] out blocked pores, and enhanc[ing] skin tone. Additionally, the margins of acne scars and other traumatic scars can be erased and aging spots and sun damaged skin can be polish[ed] off. This must be accomplished without injuring the lower two layers, namely, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer or lower dermis. Typically, the skin surface is treated a minimum of 5 times spaced 7 to 10 days apart. This is then followed by periodic maintenance sessions. The benefits are:

[0006] 1. poor, dull skin is enhanced by a gentle resurfacing of the superficial skin layers,

[0007] 2. expression lines typically seen on the forehead and around the mouth are softened,

[0008] 3. fine, creepy lines on the cheeks, generally caused by aging and sun damage are reduced,

[0009] 4. pigment changes and skin discoloration are reduced,

[0010] 5. enlarged pores are reduced and clogged pores typical in acne conditions are exfoliated and cleaned out,

[0011] 6. margins of superficial acne marks, stretch marks, burn scars and surgical scars can be smoothed, [and]

[0012] [7. calluses and other areas of dead skin build up can be easily removed without making incisions into the skin.]

[0013] Use of abrasion techniques can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians who used alabaster and pumice to remove blemishes and rough spots and to make the skin smooth and soft. More recently, abrasive tipped devices or rotating brushes and cylinders coated with abrasive particles, such as diamond dust, have been used to remove skin layers (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,712,823; 2,867,214; 2,881,763; 2,921,585). U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,446 describes a stick, glove finger tip or glove palm coated with an abrasive material which is rubbed over the skin surface to provide a polishing action. U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,212 directed to a pneumatic grinding machine for flat surfaces, incorporates a rotating grinding tool enclosed in a housing with air flowing over the surface to collect dust created by the grinding operation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,804 is directed to a skin abrasion device which uses flowing water to rotate an abrasive brush and create a vacuum to remove loosened skin particles. The rotating brush is usually used in conjunction with a liquid detergent or medicinal compound applied to the skin surface being scrubbed. [U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,739 is directed to a hollow tube with an abrasive material permanently attached to a skin-contacting end.] Chemicals, ultrasonic oscillating tips (U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,797) and lasers have also been used for a more aggressive abrasion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,431 describes the use of a pressurized jet of a liquid, such as water or sterile saline, to fragment and remove diseased tissue without harming surrounding healthy tissue. This device operates in conjunction with vacuum aspiration to remove the liquid and fragmented tissue.

[0014] The present trend is to abrade the skin surface using powdered aluminum oxide or a liquid topical composition containing suspended aluminum oxide (U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,747). U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,432 provides for the pressurized delivery, using compressed air, of a powdered, abrasive substance and the removal of the abrasive substance and loosened skin tissue using a vacuum. The abrasive substance is typically microcrystals of quartz, metal, or aluminum oxide. The powdered abrasive is blown through a wand which has a hole in the skin contact end to provide access of the abrasive to the skin surface being treated. An alternative is to cause the aluminum oxide powders to flow by applying a vacuum to the exhaust side of a container holding the abrasive powder and entraining the powder in a flowing gas stream. The powder is then drawn by the vacuum through a treatment tool, across the skin surface to abrade or rub off the epidermis and then recovered along with the skin particles in a collection chamber (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,100,412; 5,207,234; 5,810,842). This process is similar to “bead-blasting”. A potential disadvantage of all of these techniques is that particles can be lodged in the skin and a substantial amount of aluminum oxide and cells, which have to be properly disposed of, may be left behind on or in the skin.

[0015] While no toxic effects have been shown from aluminum oxide left on or in the skin, this material has been shown to cause inflammatory changes to the lungs in workers who have inhaled aluminum oxide. (Schwarz, Y, et al., “Evaluation of Workers Exposed to Dust Containing Hard Metals and Aluminum Oxide” Am J of Ind Med, 34(20;177-82) August 1999). Also, the eyes must be protected from the highly abrasive dust, which can injure the cornea. Therefore, it is recommended that workers using these devices wear breathing masks and glasses to provide protection from ophthalmic and respiratory damage. Similar protection is suggested for patients being treated. It is also possible that particles of the abrasive material can be left imbedded in the skin surface resulting in long term irritation and provide a situs for bacterial infections.

References Cited U.S. Patent Documents

[0016] U.S. PAT. No. 2,701,559 February, 1955 Cooper 600/569.

[0017] U.S. PAT. No. 2,712,823 July, 1955 Kurtin.

[0018] U.S. PAT. No. 2,867,214 January, 1959 Wilson.

[0019] U.S. PAT. No. 2,881,763 April, 1959 Robbins.

[0020] U.S. PAT. No. 2,921,585 January, 1960 Schumann.

[0021] U.S. PAT. No. 3,964,212 June, 1976 Karden 51/170.

[0022] U.S. PAT. No. 4,378,804 April, 1983 Cortese, Jr.

[0023] U.S. PAT. No. 4,957,747 September, 1990 Stiefel 424/691.

[0024] U.S. PAT. No. 5,012,797 May, 1991 Liang et al.

[0025] U.S. PAT. No. 5,037,431 August, 1991 Summers et al. 606/131.

[0026] U.S. PAT. No. 5,037,432 August, 1991 Molinari 606/131.

[0027] U.S. PAT. No. 5,100,412 March, 1992 Rosso 606/131.

[0028] U.S. PAT. No. 5,207,234 May, 1993 Rosso 128/898.

[0029] U.S. PAT. No. 5,800,446 September, 1998 Banuchi 606/131.

[0030] U.S. PAT. No. 5,810,842 September, 1998 Di Fiore et al. 606/131.

[0031] U.S. PAT. No. 5,971,999 October, 1999 Naldoni 606/131.

[0032] U.S. PAT. No. 6,042,552 March, 2000 Cornier 600/562.

[0033] U.S. PAT. No. 6,241,739 June, 2001 Waldron 606/131.

[0034] U.S. PAT. No. 6,235,039 May, 2001 Parkin et al. 606/131.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0035] This device for microdermabrasion comprises an oscillating abrading attachment surrounded by a protective housing enclosing a partial vacuum, and a motor means for driving said abrasive attachment and creating said vacuum. This new and useful invention offers a method for microdermabrasion that requires the use of only one hand, little manual effort, and requires little clean up after the microdermabrasion session

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036]FIG. 1 is a front view of a device incorporating features of the invention without the disposable filter element.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a rear view of a device incorporating features of the invention

[0038]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the vacuum and abrading assembly without the disposable filter element.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of FIG. 3 showing the suction channel.

[0040]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 3.

[0041]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vacuum and abrading assembly with the disposable filter element in place.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0042]2 abrading attachment

[0043]4 partial vacuum housing

[0044]6 extension arm

[0045]8 suction channel

[0046]10 motor housing

[0047]12 power source on/off switch

[0048]14 disposable filter 

I claim:
 1. A one hand operable device for exfoliating the outermost layers of human epidermal skin surfaces, comprising: an outer shell of suitable material containing a motor means for providing an oscillating motion and simultaneously creating a partial vacuum, an extension arm protruding through said outer shell for transferring said oscillating motion from said motor to an epidermal abrading attachment, a protective and detachable housing of suitable composition surrounding said abrading attachment and extending beyond said abrading attachment to contain said partial vacuum within a confined area surrounding the abrading attachment.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said outer shell has a means for monitoring and controlling the partial vacuum level, and a means for monitoring and controlling a power source to the motor means.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said epidermal abrading attachment has a means for attaching and detaching disposable surfaces containing particles of abrasive material attached thereto.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said protective housing containing the partial vacuum has an attaching and detaching means for containing a disposable filter of suitable composition.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein a means for automatically disconnecting said power source to the motor occurs when said protective housing is removed.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said extension arm transferring the oscillation motion of the motor may be angled so the extension arm protrudes from a side of the outer shell. 